Creation of a Clinical Demonstration Unit: Embedding Academic Research into Point of Care in a Geriatric Unit

Sheri Horsburgh; Sanaz Riahi; Tim Pauley; Sayani Paul; Andra Duff-Woskosky; Chaitali Desai; Wally J Bartfay; Brenda Gamble; Jennifer Freeman

doi:10.12927/hcq.2022.26939

Creation of a Clinical Demonstration Unit: Embedding Academic Research into Point of Care in a Geriatric Unit

Healthc Q. 2022 Oct;25(3):60-68. doi: 10.12927/hcq.2022.26939.

Authors

Sheri Horsburgh¹, Sanaz Riahi², Tim Pauley³, Sayani Paul⁴, Andra Duff-Woskosky⁵, Chaitali Desai⁶, Wally J Bartfay⁷, Brenda Gamble⁸, Jennifer Freeman⁹

Affiliations

¹ Was the clinical manager of the Geriatric Dementia Unit at Ontario Shores in Whitby, ON, when the clinical demonstration unit (CDU) was created and is leading several research and QI projects within the CDU.
² Is the vice president, Clinical Services at Ontario Shores in Whtiby, ON, and is now leading the CDU, now rebranded as the Advancement for Dementia Care Centre.
³ Research and Academics Department at Ontario Shores in Whitby, ON, and has been instrumental in the creation of the CDU at Ontario Shores. He can be reached by e-mail at pauleyt@ontarioshores.ca.
⁴ Is the scientific writer with the Research and Academics Department at Ontario Shores in Whitby, ON. She has been part of several CDU research and QI projects.
⁵ Is the senior clinical program director, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care at Unity Health Toronto in Toronto, ON. Andra was the administrative director of the Geriatric Program at Ontario Shores when this initiative was carried out under her leadership.
⁶ Worked as a research volunteer within Ontario Shores' Research and Academics Department in Whitby, ON, and was a member of the CDU working group, providing QI expertise and caregiver representation.
⁷ Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University in North Oshawa, ON. He was a CDU steering committee member, as well as a member of the CDU working group. Bartfay was instrumental in conducting the idea jam sessions that aided in the creation of the CDU at Ontario Shores.
⁸ An associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University in North Oshawa, ON. She was a member of the CDU steering committee and CDU working group. She has worked on several projects in the CDU.
⁹ Is the executive director, Office of Research Services at the Ontario Tech University in North Oshawa, ON.

PMID: 36412531
DOI: 10.12927/hcq.2022.26939

Abstract

Given that there are limited evidence-informed non-pharmacological interventions to treat behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, a specialized psychiatric hospital partnered with an academic university to create a clinical demonstration unit (CDU) - a learning health systems (LHS) model to advance dementia care. In this paper, we identify five key enablers that led to the successful creation of the CDU, its achievements and challenges encountered. The paper provides learnings for other healthcare providers who are considering initiating an LHS model within their setting to advance patient care.

MeSH terms

Aged
Dementia* / therapy
Humans
Learning Health System*
Patient Care
Point-of-Care Systems